Make child advocates report abuse

GRASS LAKE — Currently, in the state of Michigan, those that are mandated reporters of child abuse are doctors, social workers, teachers and emergency room personal. There is a movement that has reached Lansing that would add court-appointed special advocates to this list.

An advocate’s job is to keep a watchful eye over children in foster care who run a risk of being in an abusive situation. As of now, if they do uncover that a child is being abused, they do not have to report the situation.

I think the fact that the proposal to mandate them is just now coming through is outrageous. These people’s job is to protect the children and to be looking for signs of abuse. If they are not mandated to report their findings if abuse is suspected, then why are they even needed?

Their job is highly important to our communities. As a student studying to become a social worker, I am aware of the heavy case loads that caseworkers working with Child Protective Services have. To have these extra pairs of eyes is a blessing to the caseworkers, but only if the abuse is reported.

I am sure many advocates do indeed report when abusive situations are suspected, but as we all know, there are always cases in which reports are not made. Legal consequences would then apply when reports are not made if advocates are added to Michigan’s mandatory reporting law.